Chinese automaker Chery has officially launched the highly anticipated iCar Super V23, a premium iteration of its popular iCar V23 compact SUV series. Available in five distinct trims with pricing ranging from 122,800 to 174,800 yuan ($17,300 to $24,600), the Super V23 underscores Chery’s commitment to blending advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology with performance-oriented design.
The iCar Super V23 remains a fully electric compact SUV, but with significant upgrades in both powertrain and performance compared with the standard V23. Notably, the new model boasts a maximum cruising range of 550 kilometers, positioning it competitively in the rapidly evolving Chinese EV market. Beyond range, Chery has emphasized performance credentials: the vehicle holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest ascent of a 400-meter-plus sand dune among mass-produced EVs, clocking in at just 2 minutes and 38.34 seconds—a feat that highlights both motor efficiency and chassis capability.
“The Super V23 represents the next step in Chery’s EV journey,” said Li Qiang, Chery’s chief engineer for the iCar series. “We are pushing the boundaries of performance and technology while maintaining the practicality and affordability that our customers expect.”
Exterior Design: Retro Meets Modern
While the Super V23 retains the retro square-box design characteristic of the iCar V23, it introduces subtle but distinguishing aesthetic upgrades. Exclusive red “S” logos mark the front grille, front fenders, and lower-left corner of the tailgate. Semi-hidden door handles enhance aerodynamics, while 21-inch five-spoke rims fitted with 265/45 R21 tires convey a sportier, more aggressive stance.
Chery offers nine exterior colors, including purple, yellow, orange, silver, white, black, gray, blue, and green, allowing buyers to tailor the vehicle to their tastes. Dimensionally, the Super V23 mirrors the standard model, measuring 4,220 mm in length, 1,915 mm in width, and 1,845 mm in height, with a 2,735 mm wheelbase. Curb weight varies between 1,735 kg and 1,960 kg depending on trim, while off-road capability is notable: approach angles of 42°/43°, departure angles of 40°/41°, and maximum wading depth of 600 mm give it respectable utility for diverse driving conditions.
Powertrain and Performance
The iCar Super V23 is offered in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, catering to drivers seeking either efficiency or performance.
RWD Version: Equipped with a 185 kW/300 Nm electric motor, this variant comes with either a 59.93 kWh or 80.16 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack supplied by CATL, delivering 401 km and 550 km CLTC ranges, respectively. The setup prioritizes energy efficiency while maintaining a competitive performance envelope for urban and suburban driving.
AWD Version: Featuring an additional 150 kW/190 Nm front motor, the system produces a combined output of 335 kW (449 hp) and 490 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. This variant exclusively uses the 80.16 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, with a 501 km CLTC range, striking a balance between high performance and range sustainability.
The top speed across both configurations is 170 km/h, aligning with regulatory limits in China while providing spirited driving capabilities for those who demand more from their EV.
Interior Technology and Connectivity
Inside, Chery has carried over some design cues from the standard V23 while introducing performance-specific upgrades. The cabin features an 8.88-inch LCD instrument panel and a 15.4-inch 2.5K central touchscreen, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, ensuring smooth operation of vehicle systems and infotainment. All trims support Apple CarPlay, HiCar, and CarLink mobile connectivity, facilitating seamless smartphone integration.
Distinctive touches, including a red accent ring, red “S” logos, and a Boost button on the steering wheel, allow drivers to temporarily increase motor output, signaling a shift toward more performance-oriented driving experiences.
Chery has also prioritized advanced driver assistance capabilities. The Super V23 is outfitted with 22 sensors, comprising 12 ultrasonic radars, five millimeter-wave radars, and five cameras. These feed into the Falcon 500 advanced driving assistance system, which delivers over 23 intelligent capabilities, from adaptive cruise control to autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. This positions the Super V23 as one of the most technologically advanced vehicles in its segment, offering a level of safety and convenience previously seen primarily in higher-priced EVs.
Market Positioning and Strategy
The launch of the iCar Super V23 comes at a time when competition in the Chinese compact EV segment is intensifying. Domestic players such as BYD, Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto have been aggressively expanding their lineups with vehicles that prioritize range, performance, and connectivity. Chery’s strategy with the Super V23 appears to be leveraging a combination of performance credentials, off-road capability, and advanced ADAS technology to differentiate itself in a crowded marketplace.
Pricing remains competitive. At 122,800 yuan ($17,300) for the entry-level RWD trim and 174,800 yuan ($24,600) for the fully equipped AWD variant, the Super V23 provides high-value features at a price point that appeals to younger buyers and tech-savvy consumers seeking both style and substance.
“We are targeting customers who want more than just a city commuter,” Li Qiang explained. “The Super V23 is designed for versatility, whether that means urban driving, weekend adventures, or high-performance use on open roads.”
Guinness World Record Achievement
Chery has also sought to enhance the vehicle’s brand image through record-breaking performance. The Super V23 holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest ascent of a 400-meter-plus sand dune for mass-produced EVs, completing the climb in 2 minutes and 38.34 seconds. While the feat is largely symbolic, it serves to underscore the vehicle’s robust chassis, torque delivery, and motor efficiency—key metrics for prospective EV buyers who value both performance and reliability.
Battery Technology and Supply Chain
The use of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from CATL, one of the world’s leading battery suppliers, highlights Chery’s focus on safety, longevity, and cost efficiency. LFP chemistry is known for superior thermal stability, longer cycle life, and reduced risk of fire compared with traditional nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) or nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) battery chemistries.
By offering multiple battery pack sizes, Chery provides flexibility to customers balancing range, cost, and performance requirements. The AWD version’s 80.16 kWh pack, paired with dual motors, emphasizes high performance without compromising practical daily usability.
Implications for the EV Market
The iCar Super V23 launch signals a broader trend in the Chinese EV market: premium features and performance are increasingly accessible at mid-range price points, forcing competitors to innovate rapidly or risk losing market share.
Domestic EV leaders like BYD have aggressively expanded their lineup with vehicles offering long-range and high-performance configurations, while startups such as Nio and Xpeng have focused on software-driven user experiences and premium positioning. Chery’s strategy appears to straddle these approaches, delivering robust hardware performance, advanced ADAS capabilities, and smart connectivity at a price that undercuts some premium rivals.
Analysts view the Super V23 as a potential disruptor in the compact SUV segment. “Chery has effectively combined high-performance engineering, safety technology, and range capability into a package that appeals to both tech-savvy millennials and traditional SUV buyers,” said Zhang Wei, an automotive market analyst at LMC Automotive. “The record-breaking sand dune ascent also provides valuable marketing leverage, especially in a competitive market like China.”
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, Chery appears poised to leverage the Super V23 as a platform for further EV innovation. The integration of over-the-air software updates, modular battery configurations, and advanced driver assistance systems suggests that the company plans to expand both functionality and user experience over time, without requiring significant hardware changes.
Furthermore, with China’s EV market expected to grow rapidly in the coming decade, vehicles like the Super V23 will play a crucial role in capturing urban and suburban buyers who prioritize both range and versatility. The combination of performance credentials, technological sophistication, and a competitive price point positions Chery to capitalize on shifting consumer preferences as electric mobility becomes the new standard.